11.02.2009

In my search for different culinary adventures - I have been anxious to try FIN - first, because it's the new kid on the block in my neighborhood and it was calling itself a Japanese Isakaya. An izakaya is a Japanese bar or "place for sake", and references casual pubs serving high-end snacks or what we would consider Japanese tapas. Considering I have been on the hunt for a true experience as there are NO authentic izakayas in Toronto- Fin was on my list of must tries! The menu at Fin has depicted all their offerings in a colourful laminated way showing off their presentations from salads, to appetizers, yakatoris, and hotpots.I was definitely impressed with the innovation and happy that it wasn't a restaurant that served what is classically found in Japanese restaurants - which are your sushi and sashimi dishes. They were there on the menu but they definitely presented a lot of other offerings. We decided to try all the items that had chef special next to it and also to do a sake flight $7each which consisted of 3 shot glasses filled with different types of sakis including ones called demon slayer and my favourite - nigori saki which is undistilled and cloudy sake that I find light and creamy.We ordered their Kakuni Pork which was fatty pork belly and an half of a hard boiled egg cooked in a hot pot- Derrick and I loved the flavour of this- reminded me of a type of stew my dad makes at home. The belly was flavourful and the sauce was salty but delecate in a hearty way. It was very good. We also tried the "Asian Tofu Fight" which was a selection of 3 soft tofus in tiny bowls all served in different styles - Japanese: with scallions and soy sauce; Korean: with kimchi on top of the tofu and Chinese style with friend garlic on top. It was a very light dish and very small and in future- I would pass on ordering this as it wasn't substantial enough.We ordered the clams cooked in a hot pot with Sake and dashi broth- the clams were very small but fresh and they keep the pot warm by placing it over a little candlie lit burner. Unfortunately we don't really taste the sake as it's too mild. We had the unagi (eel) don- which was unagi served over rice in a hot pot- it was sweet and the rice was sticky but I didn't think the unagi was fresh as it had a fishy aftertaste.
Our favourite dishes of the evening were the blowtorched saba - for me - it was the presentation as the waitress brought it out and blow torched the fish in front of our table. The texture of the fish was a bit rubbery though and I found it a bit fishy. Derrick said it was his favourite dish of the night and loved it - especially when paired with the pickled cucumber salad that it was served with. I loved the makeral done 2 ways - as a tartar with ginger which is a good kick when you eat a good mouthful and then the sashimi was done perfectly. The thing was I was still hungry after this wide array of dishes. I debated on whether we should try some more and I'm glad that Derrick restrained me as I got fuller the more we chatted and let the food digest. Anyway as with all new restaurants- it's just going through it's growing pains and working out it's kinks. I will be back for sure to try other unique Japanese tapas and support my neighborhood.
*** starsFin 55 Eglinton East - Yonge and Eglinton

No comments:

Post a Comment

About the Vong Choice

I am a food-thusiast as I love eating, cooking, experiencing and indulging in anything food related. This is my labour of love which chronicles my culninary journeys and eating adventures. This blog is in no way associated to the restaurants reviewed but you may humbly let them know how you found them.